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Political manoeuvring is afoot at city hall to have Coun. Matt Brown installed temporarily as mayor if the pressure becomes too much for Joe Fontana to stay, The Free Press has learned.

Brown, a teacher just two years into his career in politics, has been approached by some council colleagues who want to corral an eight-vote majority that would put him into the mayor’s chair if the embattled Fontana exits amid the firestorm over three criminal charges he faces.

Brown declined comment Thursday, citing the furor facing Fontana and city council. But there are indications he’s at least open to the idea — and could seek a leave from his Thames Valley District school board teaching job to fill the gap.

With a fractious, deeply divided council, some veterans see Brown as a perfect fit — if the need arises — for several reasons:

— He’s so new to politics, he hasn’t yet developed any real rivalries.

— His laid-back personality could serve as a bridge between everyone from councillors Dale Henderson to Judy Bryant, Bud Polhill to Joni Baechler.

— Just two years in, he’s shown a sharp understanding of city politics and the demands of council.

— He’s not overly assertive, which could keep temperatures cool during tense debates.

One city hall source says Brown — who. like Fontana has big-L Liberal ties — has shown tentative interest in the post should someone need to fill it.

But will it be needed? It certainly wasn’t as of Thursday, when Fontana vowed to stay put.

There can be no doubt, though, the political pressure (to say nothing of the mounting public outrage) is growing.

Fontana has relied on seven colleagues for a slim majority on London’s 15-member council to push through his agenda over the past two years. The voting bloc has come to be known as the Fontana 8.

Amid the swirling controversy, two stalwarts of the bloc, Denise Brown and Dale Henderson, now want him gone from the mayor’s office, at least temporarily.

His son, Steve Polhill, a close city hall watcher, declared on Twitter Thursday that Fontana should step aside. Bud Polhill, a council member for nearly 25 years, now says he may support asking Fontana to leave.

A motion is to be tabled at Monday’s finance committee meeting requesting Fontana leave office, at least temporarily, until the criminal matter is settled. It’s a solid bet it will pass, then go on to full council for approval Dec. 11.

Such a move would be historic, council essentially holding a non-confidence vote against the mayor, but also merely symbolic: The decision is Fontana’s and he says he’s not leaving. But the possibility can’t be ruled out.

Arguments that Polhill or Coun. Harold Usher should fill the office if it’s vacated make little sense. Both are perceived Fontana allies — and the public would likely reject either of them taking over.

Another option, Coun. Joni Baechler, is widely respected but Fontana’s chief rival. She has little interest in the post, and tense relationships with some council colleagues would make any such move complicated.

If Fontana were to permanently resign, the prevailing sentiment is a byelection be held to fill the mayor’s office.

Under Ontario law, there’s no mechanism to force out a politician criminally charged. But there is some confusion over what happens if one is convicted and jailed. Contrary to some municipal interpretations, a Ministry of Municipal Affairs bureaucrat says a city politician is automatically gone if jailed for any period. If a seat becomes available on city council, they can either hold a byelection to fill it or vote to appoint someone to the seat. The decision must be made within 60 days of the vacancy.

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FONTANA’S STATEMENT THURSDAY

I truly understand and realize some anguish and pain and disappointment, frustration, anger that has been caused by this incident. I feel it right here (touches chest near his heart) for the people of London, for my family, for my colleagues, for those who have supported me, for those people who care about our city.

I love our city. We have an incredible glorious past, a great present and an even greater future. I am innocent of all of these charges and I intend to fight as hard as I possibly can to clear my name.

You know, just about two years ago I and my colleagues were given a mandate by the citizens of London. The weather was a little different, as you can remember. We had Snowmageddon. That’s when the city came together, worked together, helped one another to get us through that storm. We learned that by working together we can accomplish an awful lot.

Just two or three days ago I produced a report for council that spoke about what we have been able to accomplish by working together — not only the 15 members of council, but Londoners, business, labour, community groups, all coming together wanting to create one of the best cities, I believe, in the country, and in the world. That’s our mandate.

Last night I submitted my resignation to the police services board, but today I am telling you I was given a mandate, a responsibility, an obligation to lead this city, to work with my colleagues, to work with the community to create that great city that we all want.

Each and every day men and women wake up each and every morning working for their families, working to make this a great city. And London is greater than just one person.

Thank you very much.

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FONTANA'S NEWS CONFERENCE: HIGHLIGHTS

Joe Fontana breaks a month of silence to declare his innocence, vowing to fight the charges the RCMP laid against him this week and to do so without vacating the mayor’s chair.

Q:(To Fontana’s lawyer, Gord Cudmore): Is Joe planning to step aside?

Cudmore: No

Q:Your support on council seems to be chipped away. How can you push through a budget, push through a third straight tax freeze when some members of your voting bloc say they’re not comfortable with the situation?

Cudmore: Don’t answer that.

Q:Will fighting these (criminal) charges be a distraction?

Fontana: Absolutely not.

Q:A distraction for investors you are trying to bring to London?

Fontana: Absolutely not. London is a great city. We have a lot to offer. In fact, two days ago, I met with Japanese investors . . .

Q:(On why he’s remaining in office, when other mayors — like those swept up in the fallout of the inquiry looking into allegations of corruption in Quebec’s construction industry — have stepped aside without being charged.)

Fontana: I can lead and that was their choice. That’s not my choice . . . my choice is to stay and do my job and work with my colleagues, work with the community. Because we have accomplished a lot in the last two years . . .

Q: Do you think you have the support of the city by and large?

Fontana: I think so, based on a lot of things. People call me each and every day to tell me they like what I am doing as mayor and they want me to work as hard as I can with the vision we have all put together . . .

Q: Who would be footing the bill for your services, Gord (Cudmore)?

Cudmore: Mr. Fontana.

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COUNCIL REACTION: What some politicians are saying about Fontana staying put as mayor.

COUN. JONI BAECHLER:

“Requesting Mayor Fontana step aside is not making any assertion with respect to innocence or guilt. It is a highly appropriate request given my fiduciary responsibility to the city”

COUN. BUD POLHILL:

“I have 3,500 people who elected me in my ward. And I represent them. I can’t let distractions stop me from representing them. All I’m saying is it’s his decision, not mine. I can’t force him to do anything. I don’t know what I would advise him to do.”

COUN PAUL HUBERT:

“I’m not surprised (he’s staying); however, I’m disappointed that the mayor didn’t step aside until the matter is cleared up. Those of us at council will have to refocus our attention.”